We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Charles Baldwin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Charles, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

One thing I will say about my parents is that they both held heavy beliefs in discipline and focus. Once you begin a journey, you should always “see it through” and not sell yourself short by giving up. It’s one thing to “hear” your parents speak to you about working hard and doing the right things in life, but it’s another to actually “see” it. I was always taught that doing right by people goes further than you think; especially in business as I encounter clients from all walks of life who’ll usually pay the upmost compliments to CHB Photography and my professionalism.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a Houston based photographer who started my journey taking photos back in 2016. Believe it or not, it was my wife and daughter who catalyzed this process. The inspiration to take photos came from wanting to capture my newborn daughter and all her moments, and it was my wife who ultimately pushed me (purchased my first camera) into pursuing my new passion.

As a photographer, I’d say the most satisfaction I receive is knowing I’m giving clients perpetual memories that they can cherish forever. The biggest thing I aim for is to provide the client with “exactly” what they’re looking for, and I think that comes from a humble place in not only relying on your own expertise for the answers, but being willing to take heed from others.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest thing I had to unlearn in the photography business is trying to please/satisfy every prospect that comes your way. There is a saying that goes “The Customer is Always Right”, but I don’t believe in that: I actually believe that “The Right Customer is Always Right”. Some prospects aren’t fit for your budget, style, vision, etc., and it’s perfectly ok to pass on working with them.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

For me it’s as simple as taking your profits and putting them back into your needs. As you do sessions and get paid, I would always “save and invest” as I’d call it. Initially to get started before I had a consistent flow of clientele, I would finance my equipment from Best Buy or local camera stores, and pay off my tab as I slowly trickled in business. If I simply “waited” until I got clients, I would have been waiting forever; sometimes you just have to jump.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chb-photo.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/chb._photography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/PhotographyCHB
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/chb_photography

Image Credits
Chance Cessna Chandler Rockward Raeven Young Chloe Robinson Brandy Harris